Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly today presided over a swearing-in ceremony for 898 New York City Police Department recruits who will begin official training at the NYPD Police Academy in Manhattan on Thursday, with graduation in July. Members of the January 2012 class were born in 44 different countries; 58 have previous military service – 28 serving in Iraq or Afghanistan; 39 percent of the recruits hold bachelor’s degrees and 23 have earned advanced degrees. Mayor Bloomberg administered the oath of office to the new class inside Colden Auditorium at Queens College.

Each of you is beginning the new year by joining the greatest police department on earth,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “That’s not a statement of opinion, it’s a matter of fact, based on a record of achievement that has made New York the undisputed safest big city in the nation. All New Yorkers owe you a debt of gratitude for the risks that you will take to keep our city safe. So let me be the first to say: Thank you, and good luck on the road ahead.”

Today you join a team that has surpassed all expectations. New York City Police Officers have driven down crime by 35 percent since 2001,” said Commissioner Kelly. “You have made a terrific choice and you have a bright future ahead of you.”

One-hundred and sixty-four recruits were born outside the contiguous United States, in:

Albania

Armenia

Bangladesh

Belize

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Brazil

Bulgaria

Canada

China

Colombia

Costa Rica

Croatia

Cuba

Dominican Republic

Ecuador

El Salvador

Estonia

Germany

Ghana

Guyana

Haiti

Honduras

Hong Kong

India

Ireland

Jamaica

South Korea

Lebanon

Lithuania

Moldova

Pakistan

Panama

Peru

Poland

Portugal

Puerto Rico

Romania

Russia

St. Kitts

Slovenia

Trinidad & Tobago

Ukraine

Egypt

Virgin Islands

Venezuela

Yugoslavia

Forty-nine recruits previously served the City as School Safety Agents and Traffic Enforcement Agents. Individuals interested in becoming a New York City Police Officer can obtain more information via www.nyc.gov.